The #15 Ole Miss Men met Memphis Tuesday afternoon for a chilly match at the Chad Pad (yeah, we've gone there). Corporate Headquarters has the wrap-up summarized below:
DOUBLES
1. Smith/Henry (UM) def. Vorster/Lutjen (OM) 8-6
2. Thiemann/Thiemann (OM) def. Ramsey/Heflin (UM) 8-2
3. Forberg Skogeng/Fowler (OM) def. Hayes/Taylor (UM0 9-8(4)
SINGLES
1. Tucker Vorster (OM) def. David Henry (UM) 6-1, 6-2
2. Jonas Lutjen (OM) def. Michael Hayes (UM) 6-2, 6-1
3. Marcel Thiemann (OM) def. Jordan Smith (UM) 6-1, 6-2
4. Adrian Forberg Skogeng (OM) def. Micahel Janz (UM) 6-1, 6-1
5. Chris Thiemann (OM) def. John Taylor (UM) 6-1, 6-2
6. Michael Gaerthoffner (UM) def. Harry Fowler (OM) 0-6, 6-3, 10-8
The win moves the Rebels' ledger to 8-1. Cup Commentary is after the break:
Memphis Head Coach Paul Goebel talked to me for a second during the #3 match. I mentioned that Jordan Smith had a really powerful serve, and he told me what I already knew about Marcel Theimann: "He doesn't make mistakes." It's true - Fritzie plays exceptionally smart. I do not mean to indicate that he is without talent, but he plays as close to perfection as a sophomore could be expected.
You might note the oddity of Marcel Thiemann playing at #3 singles. Yep. He's definitely been at #1 and #2 all season. So, I asked Coach Chadwick whether this was something we might see going forward, but he said that Marcel would be back at #1 for this weekend's matches against Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
Emotion is back to Ole Miss tennis. At #3 singles, Harry Fowler and Adrian Forberg Skogeng play with passion, and it's exciting. If you come for the doubles point, watch them.
It wasn't reflected in the official standings, but Jaime Vazquez Catoira played an exhibition match. I do not know whom against or whether they finished it because it got pretty cold about 5:30. But he played. Shout-out to Jaime!
If you check those scores, you'll notice that we won by at least two breaks in every set at 1 - 5. That's dominant.
Looking forward to this weekend, we will play at Vanderbilt on Friday. Vanderbilt is off to a slower start than we. They lost both of their matches in the ITA Kickoff Weekend to USC and Michigan and also lost to Louisville, a Top 15 team, by 5-2. They have no great wins on their resume. The match on Friday begins at 2:00, live stats are available at Corporate Headquarters.
Kentucky, meanwhile, has a huge win over #1 Virginia, but a head-scratching 5-2 loss to Virginia Tech. At the ITA Finals, they picked up wins over Top 15 Teams Illinois and Stanford. They also have nationally-ranked singles players #8 Eric Quigley. This match begins on Sunday at 12:00. Live stats available at Corporate Headquarters.
Good luck this weekend, Rebs. Hotty Toddy!